Arizona State University’s wrestling team secured two individual titles and placed third in the overall team standings at the 2026 Big 12 Championships, held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event took place on March 6 and 7.
Redshirt freshman Kaleb Larkin became Arizona State’s first-ever individual Big 12 champion since joining the conference last season by winning the 157-pound division. Larkin completed a perfect weekend with a 4-0 record, capped by a narrow victory over Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau.
“Kaleb Larkin decisions Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State) 4-3 to become the first Big 12 Champion in Sun Devil history #ForksUp /// #MadeForMarch,” Sun Devil Wrestling stated on social media.
Following Larkin’s win, redshirt sophomore Nicco Ruiz claimed the title at 165 pounds. Ruiz defeated top-seeded and nationally fourth-ranked LaDarion Lockett of Oklahoma State in sudden victory.
“Nicco Ruiz comes out on top of an absolute BATTLE with No. 4 nationally ranked LaDarion Lockett to crown himself a Big 12 Champ #ForksUp /// #MadeForMarch,” according to Sun Devil Wrestling.
Arizona State finished third as a team with 94 points—its highest placement ever at a Big 12 championship and best conference tournament finish since winning the Pac-12 in 2024. The team improved significantly from last year, moving up eight spots from eleventh place in the previous season.
This marks Arizona State’s tenth top-three finish at a conference tournament during head coach Zeke Jones’ twelve-year tenure.
In addition to its two champions, Arizona State qualified six wrestlers for the upcoming NCAA Championships: Kyler Larkin (133 lbs), Kaleb Larkin (157 lbs), Nicco Ruiz (165 lbs), Cael Valencia (174 lbs), Colton Hawks (197 lbs), and David Szuba (heavyweight). Freshman Kyler Larkin earned runner-up honors at his weight class and will compete in his first NCAA championships. Graduate student David Szuba finished third at heavyweight, while graduate student Colton Hawks placed sixth at 197 pounds after notable wins over higher-seeded opponents. Redshirt senior Cael Valencia secured seventh place at 174 pounds to earn his third career NCAA berth.
The NCAA will announce remaining at-large bids on March 10, with full brackets released March 11. The NCAA championships are scheduled for March 19–21 in Cleveland, Ohio, and will be broadcast on ESPN platforms and streamed via the NCAA wrestling hub.
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### Team Scoring ###
1: Oklahoma State (172.0)
2: Iowa State (144.0)
3: Arizona State (94.0)
4: Missouri (84.5)
5: West Virginia (77.5)
Other notable results include strong performances by ASU wrestlers across multiple weight classes throughout each round of competition.
Arizona State continues its postseason campaign later this month as qualified athletes prepare for national competition.